Morteratsch Glacier, Pontresina

The Morteratsch Glacier is the largest glacier by area in the Bernina Range of the Bündner Alps in Switzerland.It is, just after the Pasterze Glacier and Gepatschferner, the third largest and by volume the most massive glacier in the eastern alps. The Morteratsch Glacier is a typical valley glacier with a pronounced ice front. The accumulation zone lies between the peaks of Piz Morteratsch, Piz Bernina, Crast' Agüzza, Piz Argient, Piz Zupò and Bellavista. From Piz Argient to the ice front in the Val Morteratsch, its horizontal extent is about ~7km, with an altitude difference of up to 2000m. Together with the Pers Glacier, originating at Piz Palü, which joins the Morteratsch just below the rock formation Isla Persa, it covers an area of about 16km2. The volume of the ice is estimated to be about 1.2 km3. The Morteratsch Glacier drains through Inn River and Danube into the Black Sea.In spring, depending on the snow conditions, a 10-km-long ski-run accessible to skilled skiers is marked on the glacier. It leads from the Diavolezza aerial tramway terminus to the Morteratsch inn and has an altitude difference of 1100m. The RhB Station Morteratsch used to be situated directly at the ice front of the glacier. The ice front has receded over 1800m in the meantime, and cannot be seen from the station today.

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